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The Advertiser
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Thorny nature reforms threaten to entangle new minister
With a reputation as a savvy negotiator, Australia's new environment minister will need all his political nous to navigate the competing interests in the politically fraught portfolio. Reviving long-promised nature law reforms are top of Murray Watt's to-do list, but that will not be the only challenge of the gig. The fate of contentious resources projects also await the attention of the Queensland senator, who was picked to replace Tanya Plibersek after she was shifted to the social services ministry. His most pressing priority will be picking up where his predecessor left off on installing a national environment watchdog and overhauling flawed federal laws at a time when more than 2000 species are listed as threatened. Laws designed to protect "matters of national environmental significance" from development are considered too weak by some and too stringent by others. Responding to the 2020 Samuel review that declared the legislation ineffective and outdated, the Albanese government agreed to substantial reform. But the so-called "nature positive plan" hit a roadblock as the election neared, when a deal Ms Plibersek squared away with the cross bench for a federal environmental protection agency was scuttled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He faced criticism for caving to West Australian mining interests but denied the move was done to appease industry. National co-convenor of the Labor Environment Action Network, Felicity Wade, described the mining industry as "pretty recalcitrant" ahead of the election, before which the coalition was initially tipped to win back a swathe of seats. "There was a perception that a change of government was possible and their preparedness to be a constructive reform participant evaporated," Ms Wade told AAP. The Labor group's members are hopeful the party's thumping election victory will bring industry back to the table. "There are productivity and efficiency gains to be gained through this legislation, but not at the expense of the environment," Ms Wade said. Early indications suggest the mining lobby also wants the issue on the agenda. Minerals Council of Australia chief executive officer Tania Constable committed to working collaboratively to reform environmental laws to provide "faster, clearer decisions" after the ministerial reshuffle. Environmental groups, meanwhile, consider reforms of the "broken" laws long overdue, with Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy calling for the issue to be knocked over in the first 12 months. "There can be no more delays, caving to lobby groups and carving out industries," she said. The newly appointed environment minister is no stranger to competing priorities and has delivered on thorny issues before, such as ending live sheep exports. Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil described Senator Watt as a "frank, fair and skilled negotiator who got things done", based on her dealings with him as workplace relations minister. "He makes sure he is on top of the detail, listens to varied perspectives and keeps his eye on the objectives," she said. Senator Watt has already indicated that legislating a federal environment watchdog will be one of the top priorities for the recently returned government, planning a trip to Western Australia in the coming week to meet with the premier and mining figures. He told The Guardian in a post-appointment interview that he was weighing up ditching the "nature positive" title from its law reform in favour of "terms that Australians can understand and buy into". The support of the Greens, now under the leadership of Queensland senator Larissa Waters, will still be needed to pass any legislation in the new parliament, unless the coalition can be brought on board. In the previous term, the minor party fought to broaden the reforms to include climate and forest protections. But deals with the coalition also cannot be ruled out. The new opposition leader, Sussan Ley, was the environment minister in the job when the Samuel review was commissioned. Ms Wade said the opposition leader was "thoughtful" in her response to its findings and made an attempt at legislating national standards. "Her party limited her ability to act, the million-dollar question is whether they have learnt and will respect the mandate of the Albanese government this time round," she said. "Do they want to do a proper job, or do they want to stick with (former coalition prime minister) John Howard's laws from last century?" Senator Waters said after her appointment to the role. Australian National University honorary associate professor and Biodiversity Council member Peter Burnett was hopeful Labor remained committed to its environmental protection agenda. "Now we wait to see if the government announces any change of direction," he said. Legally enforceable environmental standards were foundational to the reforms and would prevent subjective ministerial decision-making, Assoc Prof Burnett added. Basing decisions on standards - such as no land clearing in critical habitat for threatened species - and an independent EPA to enforce the rules would temper the potential for political arm-twisting. He was critical of the way consultation was handled early in Labor's first term, taking too long and ultimately leaving the government short on time to deliver its legislation. "Now it's the task of the new minister to try and get a major reform through in what is a relatively tight timeframe of a parliament," Assoc Prof Burnett said. With a reputation as a savvy negotiator, Australia's new environment minister will need all his political nous to navigate the competing interests in the politically fraught portfolio. Reviving long-promised nature law reforms are top of Murray Watt's to-do list, but that will not be the only challenge of the gig. The fate of contentious resources projects also await the attention of the Queensland senator, who was picked to replace Tanya Plibersek after she was shifted to the social services ministry. His most pressing priority will be picking up where his predecessor left off on installing a national environment watchdog and overhauling flawed federal laws at a time when more than 2000 species are listed as threatened. Laws designed to protect "matters of national environmental significance" from development are considered too weak by some and too stringent by others. Responding to the 2020 Samuel review that declared the legislation ineffective and outdated, the Albanese government agreed to substantial reform. But the so-called "nature positive plan" hit a roadblock as the election neared, when a deal Ms Plibersek squared away with the cross bench for a federal environmental protection agency was scuttled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He faced criticism for caving to West Australian mining interests but denied the move was done to appease industry. National co-convenor of the Labor Environment Action Network, Felicity Wade, described the mining industry as "pretty recalcitrant" ahead of the election, before which the coalition was initially tipped to win back a swathe of seats. "There was a perception that a change of government was possible and their preparedness to be a constructive reform participant evaporated," Ms Wade told AAP. The Labor group's members are hopeful the party's thumping election victory will bring industry back to the table. "There are productivity and efficiency gains to be gained through this legislation, but not at the expense of the environment," Ms Wade said. Early indications suggest the mining lobby also wants the issue on the agenda. Minerals Council of Australia chief executive officer Tania Constable committed to working collaboratively to reform environmental laws to provide "faster, clearer decisions" after the ministerial reshuffle. Environmental groups, meanwhile, consider reforms of the "broken" laws long overdue, with Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy calling for the issue to be knocked over in the first 12 months. "There can be no more delays, caving to lobby groups and carving out industries," she said. The newly appointed environment minister is no stranger to competing priorities and has delivered on thorny issues before, such as ending live sheep exports. Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil described Senator Watt as a "frank, fair and skilled negotiator who got things done", based on her dealings with him as workplace relations minister. "He makes sure he is on top of the detail, listens to varied perspectives and keeps his eye on the objectives," she said. Senator Watt has already indicated that legislating a federal environment watchdog will be one of the top priorities for the recently returned government, planning a trip to Western Australia in the coming week to meet with the premier and mining figures. He told The Guardian in a post-appointment interview that he was weighing up ditching the "nature positive" title from its law reform in favour of "terms that Australians can understand and buy into". The support of the Greens, now under the leadership of Queensland senator Larissa Waters, will still be needed to pass any legislation in the new parliament, unless the coalition can be brought on board. In the previous term, the minor party fought to broaden the reforms to include climate and forest protections. But deals with the coalition also cannot be ruled out. The new opposition leader, Sussan Ley, was the environment minister in the job when the Samuel review was commissioned. Ms Wade said the opposition leader was "thoughtful" in her response to its findings and made an attempt at legislating national standards. "Her party limited her ability to act, the million-dollar question is whether they have learnt and will respect the mandate of the Albanese government this time round," she said. "Do they want to do a proper job, or do they want to stick with (former coalition prime minister) John Howard's laws from last century?" Senator Waters said after her appointment to the role. Australian National University honorary associate professor and Biodiversity Council member Peter Burnett was hopeful Labor remained committed to its environmental protection agenda. "Now we wait to see if the government announces any change of direction," he said. Legally enforceable environmental standards were foundational to the reforms and would prevent subjective ministerial decision-making, Assoc Prof Burnett added. Basing decisions on standards - such as no land clearing in critical habitat for threatened species - and an independent EPA to enforce the rules would temper the potential for political arm-twisting. He was critical of the way consultation was handled early in Labor's first term, taking too long and ultimately leaving the government short on time to deliver its legislation. "Now it's the task of the new minister to try and get a major reform through in what is a relatively tight timeframe of a parliament," Assoc Prof Burnett said. With a reputation as a savvy negotiator, Australia's new environment minister will need all his political nous to navigate the competing interests in the politically fraught portfolio. Reviving long-promised nature law reforms are top of Murray Watt's to-do list, but that will not be the only challenge of the gig. The fate of contentious resources projects also await the attention of the Queensland senator, who was picked to replace Tanya Plibersek after she was shifted to the social services ministry. His most pressing priority will be picking up where his predecessor left off on installing a national environment watchdog and overhauling flawed federal laws at a time when more than 2000 species are listed as threatened. Laws designed to protect "matters of national environmental significance" from development are considered too weak by some and too stringent by others. Responding to the 2020 Samuel review that declared the legislation ineffective and outdated, the Albanese government agreed to substantial reform. But the so-called "nature positive plan" hit a roadblock as the election neared, when a deal Ms Plibersek squared away with the cross bench for a federal environmental protection agency was scuttled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He faced criticism for caving to West Australian mining interests but denied the move was done to appease industry. National co-convenor of the Labor Environment Action Network, Felicity Wade, described the mining industry as "pretty recalcitrant" ahead of the election, before which the coalition was initially tipped to win back a swathe of seats. "There was a perception that a change of government was possible and their preparedness to be a constructive reform participant evaporated," Ms Wade told AAP. The Labor group's members are hopeful the party's thumping election victory will bring industry back to the table. "There are productivity and efficiency gains to be gained through this legislation, but not at the expense of the environment," Ms Wade said. Early indications suggest the mining lobby also wants the issue on the agenda. Minerals Council of Australia chief executive officer Tania Constable committed to working collaboratively to reform environmental laws to provide "faster, clearer decisions" after the ministerial reshuffle. Environmental groups, meanwhile, consider reforms of the "broken" laws long overdue, with Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy calling for the issue to be knocked over in the first 12 months. "There can be no more delays, caving to lobby groups and carving out industries," she said. The newly appointed environment minister is no stranger to competing priorities and has delivered on thorny issues before, such as ending live sheep exports. Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil described Senator Watt as a "frank, fair and skilled negotiator who got things done", based on her dealings with him as workplace relations minister. "He makes sure he is on top of the detail, listens to varied perspectives and keeps his eye on the objectives," she said. Senator Watt has already indicated that legislating a federal environment watchdog will be one of the top priorities for the recently returned government, planning a trip to Western Australia in the coming week to meet with the premier and mining figures. He told The Guardian in a post-appointment interview that he was weighing up ditching the "nature positive" title from its law reform in favour of "terms that Australians can understand and buy into". The support of the Greens, now under the leadership of Queensland senator Larissa Waters, will still be needed to pass any legislation in the new parliament, unless the coalition can be brought on board. In the previous term, the minor party fought to broaden the reforms to include climate and forest protections. But deals with the coalition also cannot be ruled out. The new opposition leader, Sussan Ley, was the environment minister in the job when the Samuel review was commissioned. Ms Wade said the opposition leader was "thoughtful" in her response to its findings and made an attempt at legislating national standards. "Her party limited her ability to act, the million-dollar question is whether they have learnt and will respect the mandate of the Albanese government this time round," she said. "Do they want to do a proper job, or do they want to stick with (former coalition prime minister) John Howard's laws from last century?" Senator Waters said after her appointment to the role. Australian National University honorary associate professor and Biodiversity Council member Peter Burnett was hopeful Labor remained committed to its environmental protection agenda. "Now we wait to see if the government announces any change of direction," he said. Legally enforceable environmental standards were foundational to the reforms and would prevent subjective ministerial decision-making, Assoc Prof Burnett added. Basing decisions on standards - such as no land clearing in critical habitat for threatened species - and an independent EPA to enforce the rules would temper the potential for political arm-twisting. He was critical of the way consultation was handled early in Labor's first term, taking too long and ultimately leaving the government short on time to deliver its legislation. "Now it's the task of the new minister to try and get a major reform through in what is a relatively tight timeframe of a parliament," Assoc Prof Burnett said. With a reputation as a savvy negotiator, Australia's new environment minister will need all his political nous to navigate the competing interests in the politically fraught portfolio. Reviving long-promised nature law reforms are top of Murray Watt's to-do list, but that will not be the only challenge of the gig. The fate of contentious resources projects also await the attention of the Queensland senator, who was picked to replace Tanya Plibersek after she was shifted to the social services ministry. His most pressing priority will be picking up where his predecessor left off on installing a national environment watchdog and overhauling flawed federal laws at a time when more than 2000 species are listed as threatened. Laws designed to protect "matters of national environmental significance" from development are considered too weak by some and too stringent by others. Responding to the 2020 Samuel review that declared the legislation ineffective and outdated, the Albanese government agreed to substantial reform. But the so-called "nature positive plan" hit a roadblock as the election neared, when a deal Ms Plibersek squared away with the cross bench for a federal environmental protection agency was scuttled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He faced criticism for caving to West Australian mining interests but denied the move was done to appease industry. National co-convenor of the Labor Environment Action Network, Felicity Wade, described the mining industry as "pretty recalcitrant" ahead of the election, before which the coalition was initially tipped to win back a swathe of seats. "There was a perception that a change of government was possible and their preparedness to be a constructive reform participant evaporated," Ms Wade told AAP. The Labor group's members are hopeful the party's thumping election victory will bring industry back to the table. "There are productivity and efficiency gains to be gained through this legislation, but not at the expense of the environment," Ms Wade said. Early indications suggest the mining lobby also wants the issue on the agenda. Minerals Council of Australia chief executive officer Tania Constable committed to working collaboratively to reform environmental laws to provide "faster, clearer decisions" after the ministerial reshuffle. Environmental groups, meanwhile, consider reforms of the "broken" laws long overdue, with Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy calling for the issue to be knocked over in the first 12 months. "There can be no more delays, caving to lobby groups and carving out industries," she said. The newly appointed environment minister is no stranger to competing priorities and has delivered on thorny issues before, such as ending live sheep exports. Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil described Senator Watt as a "frank, fair and skilled negotiator who got things done", based on her dealings with him as workplace relations minister. "He makes sure he is on top of the detail, listens to varied perspectives and keeps his eye on the objectives," she said. Senator Watt has already indicated that legislating a federal environment watchdog will be one of the top priorities for the recently returned government, planning a trip to Western Australia in the coming week to meet with the premier and mining figures. He told The Guardian in a post-appointment interview that he was weighing up ditching the "nature positive" title from its law reform in favour of "terms that Australians can understand and buy into". The support of the Greens, now under the leadership of Queensland senator Larissa Waters, will still be needed to pass any legislation in the new parliament, unless the coalition can be brought on board. In the previous term, the minor party fought to broaden the reforms to include climate and forest protections. But deals with the coalition also cannot be ruled out. The new opposition leader, Sussan Ley, was the environment minister in the job when the Samuel review was commissioned. Ms Wade said the opposition leader was "thoughtful" in her response to its findings and made an attempt at legislating national standards. "Her party limited her ability to act, the million-dollar question is whether they have learnt and will respect the mandate of the Albanese government this time round," she said. "Do they want to do a proper job, or do they want to stick with (former coalition prime minister) John Howard's laws from last century?" Senator Waters said after her appointment to the role. Australian National University honorary associate professor and Biodiversity Council member Peter Burnett was hopeful Labor remained committed to its environmental protection agenda. "Now we wait to see if the government announces any change of direction," he said. Legally enforceable environmental standards were foundational to the reforms and would prevent subjective ministerial decision-making, Assoc Prof Burnett added. Basing decisions on standards - such as no land clearing in critical habitat for threatened species - and an independent EPA to enforce the rules would temper the potential for political arm-twisting. He was critical of the way consultation was handled early in Labor's first term, taking too long and ultimately leaving the government short on time to deliver its legislation. "Now it's the task of the new minister to try and get a major reform through in what is a relatively tight timeframe of a parliament," Assoc Prof Burnett said.
Perth Now
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Thorny nature reforms threaten to entangle new minister
With a reputation as a savvy negotiator, Australia's new environment minister will need all his political nous to navigate the competing interests in the politically fraught portfolio. Reviving long-promised nature law reforms are top of Murray Watt's to-do list, but that will not be the only challenge of the gig. The fate of contentious resources projects also await the attention of the Queensland senator, who was picked to replace Tanya Plibersek after she was shifted to the social services ministry. His most pressing priority will be picking up where his predecessor left off on installing a national environment watchdog and overhauling flawed federal laws at a time when more than 2000 species are listed as threatened. Laws designed to protect "matters of national environmental significance" from development are considered too weak by some and too stringent by others. Responding to the 2020 Samuel review that declared the legislation ineffective and outdated, the Albanese government agreed to substantial reform. But the so-called "nature positive plan" hit a roadblock as the election neared, when a deal Ms Plibersek squared away with the cross bench for a federal environmental protection agency was scuttled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He faced criticism for caving to West Australian mining interests but denied the move was done to appease industry. National co-convenor of the Labor Environment Action Network, Felicity Wade, described the mining industry as "pretty recalcitrant" ahead of the election, before which the coalition was initially tipped to win back a swathe of seats. "There was a perception that a change of government was possible and their preparedness to be a constructive reform participant evaporated," Ms Wade told AAP. The Labor group's members are hopeful the party's thumping election victory will bring industry back to the table. "There are productivity and efficiency gains to be gained through this legislation, but not at the expense of the environment," Ms Wade said. Early indications suggest the mining lobby also wants the issue on the agenda. Minerals Council of Australia chief executive officer Tania Constable committed to working collaboratively to reform environmental laws to provide "faster, clearer decisions" after the ministerial reshuffle. Environmental groups, meanwhile, consider reforms of the "broken" laws long overdue, with Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy calling for the issue to be knocked over in the first 12 months. "There can be no more delays, caving to lobby groups and carving out industries," she said. The newly appointed environment minister is no stranger to competing priorities and has delivered on thorny issues before, such as ending live sheep exports. Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil described Senator Watt as a "frank, fair and skilled negotiator who got things done", based on her dealings with him as workplace relations minister. "He makes sure he is on top of the detail, listens to varied perspectives and keeps his eye on the objectives," she said. Senator Watt has already indicated that legislating a federal environment watchdog will be one of the top priorities for the recently returned government, planning a trip to Western Australia in the coming week to meet with the premier and mining figures. He told The Guardian in a post-appointment interview that he was weighing up ditching the "nature positive" title from its law reform in favour of "terms that Australians can understand and buy into". The support of the Greens, now under the leadership of Queensland senator Larissa Waters, will still be needed to pass any legislation in the new parliament, unless the coalition can be brought on board. In the previous term, the minor party fought to broaden the reforms to include climate and forest protections. But deals with the coalition also cannot be ruled out. The new opposition leader, Sussan Ley, was the environment minister in the job when the Samuel review was commissioned. Ms Wade said the opposition leader was "thoughtful" in her response to its findings and made an attempt at legislating national standards. "Her party limited her ability to act, the million-dollar question is whether they have learnt and will respect the mandate of the Albanese government this time round," she said. The incoming Greens leader said Labor had a choice between working with the minor party to deliver laws that genuinely protected nature or siding with the coalition to continue the status quo. "Do they want to do a proper job, or do they want to stick with (former coalition prime minister) John Howard's laws from last century?" Senator Waters said after her appointment to the role. Australian National University honorary associate professor and Biodiversity Council member Peter Burnett was hopeful Labor remained committed to its environmental protection agenda. "Now we wait to see if the government announces any change of direction," he said. Legally enforceable environmental standards were foundational to the reforms and would prevent subjective ministerial decision-making, Assoc Prof Burnett added. Basing decisions on standards - such as no land clearing in critical habitat for threatened species - and an independent EPA to enforce the rules would temper the potential for political arm-twisting. He was critical of the way consultation was handled early in Labor's first term, taking too long and ultimately leaving the government short on time to deliver its legislation. "Now it's the task of the new minister to try and get a major reform through in what is a relatively tight timeframe of a parliament," Assoc Prof Burnett said.
West Australian
17-05-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
Thorny nature reforms threaten to entangle new minister
With a reputation as a savvy negotiator, Australia's new environment minister will need all his political nous to navigate the competing interests in the politically fraught portfolio. Reviving long-promised nature law reforms are top of Murray Watt's to-do list, but that will not be the only challenge of the gig. The fate of contentious resources projects also await the attention of the Queensland senator, who was picked to replace Tanya Plibersek after she was shifted to the social services ministry. His most pressing priority will be picking up where his predecessor left off on installing a national environment watchdog and overhauling flawed federal laws at a time when more than 2000 species are listed as threatened. Laws designed to protect "matters of national environmental significance" from development are considered too weak by some and too stringent by others. Responding to the 2020 Samuel review that declared the legislation ineffective and outdated, the Albanese government agreed to substantial reform. But the so-called "nature positive plan" hit a roadblock as the election neared, when a deal Ms Plibersek squared away with the cross bench for a federal environmental protection agency was scuttled by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. He faced criticism for caving to West Australian mining interests but denied the move was done to appease industry. National co-convenor of the Labor Environment Action Network, Felicity Wade, described the mining industry as "pretty recalcitrant" ahead of the election, before which the coalition was initially tipped to win back a swathe of seats. "There was a perception that a change of government was possible and their preparedness to be a constructive reform participant evaporated," Ms Wade told AAP. The Labor group's members are hopeful the party's thumping election victory will bring industry back to the table. "There are productivity and efficiency gains to be gained through this legislation, but not at the expense of the environment," Ms Wade said. Early indications suggest the mining lobby also wants the issue on the agenda. Minerals Council of Australia chief executive officer Tania Constable committed to working collaboratively to reform environmental laws to provide "faster, clearer decisions" after the ministerial reshuffle. Environmental groups, meanwhile, consider reforms of the "broken" laws long overdue, with Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive Kelly O'Shanassy calling for the issue to be knocked over in the first 12 months. "There can be no more delays, caving to lobby groups and carving out industries," she said. The newly appointed environment minister is no stranger to competing priorities and has delivered on thorny issues before, such as ending live sheep exports. Australian Council of Trade Unions president Michele O'Neil described Senator Watt as a "frank, fair and skilled negotiator who got things done", based on her dealings with him as workplace relations minister. "He makes sure he is on top of the detail, listens to varied perspectives and keeps his eye on the objectives," she said. Senator Watt has already indicated that legislating a federal environment watchdog will be one of the top priorities for the recently returned government, planning a trip to Western Australia in the coming week to meet with the premier and mining figures. He told The Guardian in a post-appointment interview that he was weighing up ditching the "nature positive" title from its law reform in favour of "terms that Australians can understand and buy into". The support of the Greens, now under the leadership of Queensland senator Larissa Waters, will still be needed to pass any legislation in the new parliament, unless the coalition can be brought on board. In the previous term, the minor party fought to broaden the reforms to include climate and forest protections. But deals with the coalition also cannot be ruled out. The new opposition leader, Sussan Ley, was the environment minister in the job when the Samuel review was commissioned. Ms Wade said the opposition leader was "thoughtful" in her response to its findings and made an attempt at legislating national standards. "Her party limited her ability to act, the million-dollar question is whether they have learnt and will respect the mandate of the Albanese government this time round," she said. The incoming Greens leader said Labor had a choice between working with the minor party to deliver laws that genuinely protected nature or siding with the coalition to continue the status quo. "Do they want to do a proper job, or do they want to stick with (former coalition prime minister) John Howard's laws from last century?" Senator Waters said after her appointment to the role. Australian National University honorary associate professor and Biodiversity Council member Peter Burnett was hopeful Labor remained committed to its environmental protection agenda. "Now we wait to see if the government announces any change of direction," he said. Legally enforceable environmental standards were foundational to the reforms and would prevent subjective ministerial decision-making, Assoc Prof Burnett added. Basing decisions on standards - such as no land clearing in critical habitat for threatened species - and an independent EPA to enforce the rules would temper the potential for political arm-twisting. He was critical of the way consultation was handled early in Labor's first term, taking too long and ultimately leaving the government short on time to deliver its legislation. "Now it's the task of the new minister to try and get a major reform through in what is a relatively tight timeframe of a parliament," Assoc Prof Burnett said.
Sky News AU
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Energy experts warn about energy dependence after European power outages as Labor Left pushes for more demanding climate targets
Concerns have mounted in Australia about the risks of over-relying on renewable energy, following power outages across Europe that have been blamed on grid instability and a lack of baseload power. Recent blackouts in Spain, Portugal and France left more than 55 million without energy and forced the government to declare a national emergency. Spanish businesses, households, mobile networks, roads, trains, airports, schools and healthcare facilities had power shut down for hours. The traffic lights went black as traffic jams stretched out for kilometres, and pedestrians had to wave down cars to safely cross the street. Residents could not search for what went wrong online, nor send text messages or make phone calls to loved ones. As Spanish President Pedro Sanchez struggles to avoid taking responsibility for his decision to phase out nuclear energy in favour of renewables, the ramifications of the energy transition have become increasingly clear. Senior Policy Analyst at the Centre for Independent Studies Zoe Hilton said that while it was not yet certain what went wrong, it was clear what made the grid vulnerable in the first place - the high penetration of intermittent renewables. 'Only a few weeks ago, Spain reached 100 per cent wind and solar generation for the first time,' Ms Hilton told Sky News. 'As coal has been phased out over the past several years, wind and solar accounted for 43 per cent of Spain's annual generation in 2024. 'The remaining electricity supply is provided by nuclear, gas and hydro—but not enough to maintain the same level of stability enjoyed by grids without intermittent renewables.' Ms Hilton explained that electricity grids rely on dispatchable baseload power - such as coal, gas, hydro and nuclear, all of which have big spinning turbines. These spinning turbines help to maintain what is called 'grid inertia' as a byproduct of their generation, which helps to ensure the grid's stability. In contrast, dispatchable power - especially photovoltaic solar - cannot supply the kind of inertia that is needed, leaving the energy grid more vulnerable. The CIS energy expert used the analogy of a Jenga Tower. 'Replacing a dispatchable generator with intermittent renewables is like taking a block out of the Jenga tower—you can only take so many before the whole thing is vulnerable to collapse,' she said. 'Just like Spain, we're playing a game of Jenga with our electricity grid … even the tiniest nudge can send the whole thing tumbling. The developments come as the Labor Environment Action Network has demanded the Albanese government increase its climate targets for 2035. The demands call for the government to cut emissions by 70 per cent from 2005 levels, and would effectively require the grid to reach more than 90 per cent renewable energy in 10 years. Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs Scott Hargreaves, another energy expert, warned about the consequences of relentlessly pursuing such high dependence on renewables. 'The lesson for Australia is simple—the Spanish blackouts are the new normal under net zero,' he told Sky News. 'All over the world energy security and particularly grid stability has been overlooked in the rush to renewables.' 'The Spanish blackouts have again proved that you cannot run an advanced nation without secure and reliable energy, yet this is the future facing Australians. 'We have been testing Australia's electricity market to the point of destruction for over a decade. Well-informed observers increasingly agree that physical system failure is now looming.' Mr Hargreaves pointed to the fact that state governments have had to begin extending the lifespans of coal-fired power stations, including in Yallourn, Victoria and Eraring, NSW. 'The federal government has set a target of 82 per cent (by 2030). This target is not realistic or achievable and reality will hit well before then,' he said. Despite this, federal Labor has re-committed to its renewables efforts, as it pursues its goals of an energy grid powered by about 95 per cent renewables by 2050. So far, the government's intermediate 2035 target has not been set, as Mr Albanese awaits advice from the independent Climate Change Authority. Figures of the Labor Left, including those sponsored by Labor's Environment Action Network, continue to demand the government set higher targets, and faster. 'I'd like to see (targets) as strong as possible. I'm not going to give you a number because we need to see that advice,' Labor MP Jerome Laxale told Sky News last week. 'It's huge to be given another three years on this and to continue the renewable energy rollout is something that's really important for certainty, particularly for energy transition. 'We've done an enormous amount in three years, got renewable energy up to 40 per cent of the grid, approved 80 projects, grid scale renewable energy projects. 'There's more in the pipeline that will see renewable energy go up, which is what has popular support amongst Australians and we need to make it work.' The experts, and federal opposition, warn that doing so without sufficient baseload power would place Australia at similar risks to Spain. Liberal MP Melissa Price, whose electorate of Durack spans vast parts of WA, expressed concern about imminent energy shortfalls in the next decade. "The Australian Energy Market Operator... forecasts an energy shortfall in WA of 391 MW in 2027-28, growing to 2880 by 2033-34,' she told Sky News. "This is serious. That is why we must be clear eyed about the limitations of some proposals. 'The so-called 'green hydrogen solution' – which is being promoted heavily across the Midwest region here in WA – simply won't cut it. 'Much of the hydrogen energy proposed in WA is destined for export and will do nothing to support or stabilise our own grid." Liberal Senator Dave Sharma also told Sky News that the opposition needed to offer a 'realistic energy policy' as his party recovers from its election loss. He said that energy policy should 'not be so headstrong or ideologically blinkered that it's going to introduce volatility or price uncertainty' into the power system. Key members of the Coalition have begun steeling themselves for a fight over nuclear power, insisting its credentials will become 'even more compelling' by the 2028 election. There have been calls inside the party to dump the nuclear proposal following the election defeat, but many argue it remains the most viable option for Australia. 'We need to be very careful about making rash decisions,' Nationals leader David Littleproud said of the forthcoming debate. 'Regional Australia should have a future that isn't littered with transmission lines, solar panels and wind turbines.' He maintains the Coalition must be technologically agnostic.
Sky News AU
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Albanese government faces growing pressure within Labor over 2035 climate target
Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt has confirmed that the Albanese government is yet to make a decision on a proposed 2035 emissions reduction target, amid growing pressure from Labor's environmental faction to set more ambitious climate goals. Labor's left-wing environmental action group, known as LEAN (Labor Environment Action Network), is calling on the Albanese government to adopt a 70-plus per cent emissions reduction target for 2035. 'We haven't made any decisions about that yet,' Mr Watt told Sky News Australia. 'I mean, what we did well before the election was ask for advice from the independent Climate Change Authority. 'Once they do, we will listen to that advice, and we'll make a decision, but we haven't settled on anything at this point in time.'
